Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment's THE SPIRIT Sponsors the 2008 Eisner Awards

Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment's THE SPIRIT Sponsors the 2008 Eisner Awards

SAN DIEGO, July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Comic-Con International, the largest comic book and popular arts event in the United States, is delighted to announce that the title sponsor for the 2008 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (or The Eisner's as the event is affectionately referred) is The Spirit, the film adaptation of Will Eisner's classic comics series, which will be released in theaters by Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment this Christmas.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080721/DC28306LOGO )

The Eisner Awards, considered the "Oscars" of the comics industry, will be presented in a gala awards ceremony on Friday, July 25 at Comic-Con in San Diego. Named for the acclaimed comics writer, artist, and creator, the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards have been in existence since 1987. "It is obviously fitting that The Spirit be the title sponsor for the Eisner's," said Jackie Estrada, awards administrator. "And the fact that Frank and Will were such good friends makes it even more special."

Awards are given in 30 categories, ranging from Best Writer and Best Graphic Album to Best Digital Comic. The evening will kick off with a keynote speech from Frank Miller, screenwriter and director of The Spirit and himself winner of 12 Eisner Awards.

"Lionsgate couldn't be more thrilled about the opportunity to sponsor the Eisner's," said President of Theatrical Marketing Tim Palen. "It would make perfect sense that the most influential awards event in the comic book industry should be sponsored by the most anticipated film at Comic-Con. But add to that the fact that The Spirit is an adaptation of Will Eisner's seminal comic, written for the screen and directed by his friend, fellow comics visionary and Comic-Con legend Frank Miller, and it's almost too perfect."

Other sponsors for the 2008 Eisner Awards include mycomicshop.com (major sponsor), and principal sponsors Century Guild, Comickaze Comics, Diamond Comic Distributors, Gentle Giant, Isotope Comics of San Francisco, CA, and Lebonfon Printing. Supporting sponsors are Alternate Reality Comics of Las Vegas, NV, Atlantis Fantasyworld of Santa Cruz, CA, Comic Relief-The Comic Bookstore of Berkeley, CA, comicsunlimited.com, Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff of Concord, CA, and Golden Apple of Los Angeles, CA.

The Eisner Awards are part of Comic-Con International, San Diego, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.

More information about the Eisner Awards can be found at
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_main.shtml.

More information about "The Spirit" can be found at http://www.mycityscreams.com/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080721/DC28306LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN17
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Comic-Con International

CONTACT: Jackie Estrada of Comic-Con International, +1-619-414-1020,
jackiee@comic-con.org

Web Site: http://www.comic-con.org/
http://www.mycityscreams.com/

-------
Profile: intent